New Mexico Football Preview

by Maize_in_Spartyland

2012 New Mexico Lobos Football Preview

2011 Record: 1-11 (1-6 Mountain West)

Head Coach: Bob Davie, first season (35-25 overall)

Projected Returning Starters: 15

Spring Game: None

Notes: For those who have followed college football for sometime, they would know that the school that produced the Chicago Bears’ Brian Urlacher has traditionally been a good football school. Then-head coach Rocky Long served as the Lobos head coach from 1998 until his resignation following the 2008 season. The 2007 season resulted in a 9-4 record and a victory in the New Mexico Bowl. Long’s last three seasons were a combined 19-19. Compare that with the three seasons under Mike Locksley. Locksley was dismissed in late September of last year, with George Barlow finishing out the season. Locksley and Barlow were a combined 3-33. Davie was most recently working for ESPN, but has a long history of coaching college football, especially in the southwest.

BVTSB Take: New Mexico has been the worst program in FBS over the past three seasons. Its going to take a lot to undo the damage that Locksley has done. Davie recognizes the lack of depth that the Lobos have, which feature 56 scholarship players and 20 walk-ons. It’s that lack of depth that caused the Lobos to cancel their yearly spring game. Quarterback B.R. Holbrook, who took over as starter, supplanting Tarean Austin, returns in 2012 after throwing for over 1400 yards last season. However, he threw almost twice as many interceptions as touchdowns. With running back Crusoe Gongbay, leading rusher for the Lobos, transferring, don’t be surprised to see Demarcus Rogers grab the feature back role. Two of the three leading receivers, Ty Kirk and Lucas Reed, return, having accounted for over 600 yards receiving, but zero receiving touchdowns. New Mexico struggled offensively last season, only having 17 offensive scores (10 rushing and 7 passing). UNM will need to step it up offensively to stay competitive. The Lobos face a favorable non-conference schedule with games against Southern and Texas State at home and Texas, Texas Tech, and New Mexico State on the road. Don’t be surprised to see UNM win at least two non-conference games. Unfortunately, that might be the best-case scenario for a thin New Mexico team. Their best chances at conference wins are on the road, with games against Hawaii, UNLV, and Colorado State. Davie is the right man for the job, but the first year will be a struggle.

2012 Early Projection: 3-10

 

To see the 2012 Mountain West composite schedule, click here.

 

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